Equalizing apparatus for engrletes which use steam expansively



UNITED sTATEs PATENT oEEi/cE. l

VILLIAM H. MORRISON, OF INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA.

EQUALIZING APPARATUS FOR ENGINS WHICH USE STEAM EXPANSIVELY.

Specification of Letters Patent No.

To all whom it m ay concern Be it known that I, WM. HENRY Mon- RIsoN, of Indianapolis, in the county of Marion and State of Indiana, have made a new and useful Pneumatic Apparatus for Equalizing the Action of Steam when Used Expansively; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the annexed drawings, making part of this specification.

The object of my improvement is to equalize the action of steam when used expansively in a reciprocating engine; so that during the rst part of the stroke of the piston, when the full power of the steam is admitted to the cylinder, a power shall be accumulated to be returned to the engine when the power of the steam is lessened by expansion, and the peculiar applicability of my device to such, is derived from its capacity of being modied, to suit the intended period of cut off, or other circumstances of the engine. This result is accomplished by the use (one on each side of the center of motion) of two equalizing cylinders, which by being placed a greater or less distance asunder, cause the most rapid accumulation of equalizing force to take place, earlier or later in the stroke, in accordance with the period of cut off, Smc.; so that when the steam is under the greatest headway, the most rapid accumulation of equalizing force can be taking place.

In the drawing annexed (a) is a portion of the piston rod of the steam cylinder or of a rod suitably connected therewith; (Z2) is an arm having a iXed center of vibration at (c) and jointed at (d) to the rod (6a); (c, f,) are two arms also jointed at (cl) and with the arm (Z9) forming toggles, which respectively work the blocks (g, Zn) in the slides (i, z', y', j) to these blocks are attached piston rods (la, Z,) and-the pistons (m, in) working in air-tight cylinders (o, 29,), these cylinders being open at the top so as to allow the atmosphere free access to the upper sides of the pistons.

The range of the center (CZ) at the end of piston rod (a) is shown by the dotted line (l, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6,) and the chord of the arc described is the length of the stroke. It will be perceived that on the stroke of the steam cylinder piston, the pistons (m, m) are de- 9,486, dated December 21, 1852,

pressed in the air-tight cylinder (o, 2),) until the point is reached; from this point to the point (4C) the piston ascends, the piston (n) still descending; thence to the end of the stroke (6) both pistons are ascending'. The cylinders being full of air, or of any other elastic fluid, compressed or otherwise, at the commencement of the stroke, the air in them is diminished in volume by the descent of the pistons until a point is reached, seen in the drawing in dotted line (O), that is until the arms of the toggle (Z), 6,) are in line; passing this, at the point (4) dotted line (D) the piston (n) has attained its lowest depression; each piston after passing its respective point of lowest depression, by the elasticity of the air or other elastic fluid contained in its cylinder, contributing power during the remainder of the stroke.

In the drawing the cylinders are shown so placed relatively to the other parts that the pistons in both cylinders descend during the first live-twelfths of t-he stroke; one (m) rises and one (n) descends during a further sixth of the stroke, and during the remain- .ing five-twelfths of the stroke both pistons are rising. The central lines of the airtight cylinders are shown placed immediately under the points of one-third and twothirds stroke of the piston (the said points marked respectively 2 and 5 in the drawing), and should it be wished that the pistons should reach their greatest depression at one-third and two-thirds stroke respectively, the distance between their cylinders (0, 20,) must be increased until the points of attachment of the arms (e, f,) on the blocks (g, Zn) are on a line respectively with (2) and (5) and the center (c) when the arm (Z2) is brought into the same straight line respectively with the arms (c) and Any other required variation is made by altering the position of the cylinders, or of their number, which may be increased or diminished as may be best suited to the degree of expansion or point ot cut off of the steam in each case.

The precise form and arrangement shown take place earlier or later in the stroke, in accordance with the period of out oii', Sno.; for the purposes herein explained.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand before two subscribing witnesses. 15

WM. HENRY MORRISON.

Witnesses:

JOSEPH DENNIS, VVINsToN P. NOBLE. 

